1 Corinthians 4:1-5
Paul refers to himself as a servant of Christ and a manager in 1 Corinthians 4:1-5. Then he goes on and tells the Corinthians that in those roles what matters to him is not how the Corinthians evaluate or judge his service and work, but how the Lord will judge him.
When you think about it, Paul's words make a lot of sense. We all like to receive the praise and approval of other people. And we can do a pretty good job of hiding our motives for doing things. I think that's why Paul says specifically that the Lord "will bring to light the things now hidden in the darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart" (vs. 5).
Does knowing the Lord will examine and evaluate your service in the future factor into or motivate your daily living? How can you use this passage to help you prepare for this future evaluation? Tami W.
Tami - thank you for today’s insight as this is an area that I struggle understanding. Sincerely, I do not know how to remove personal pride from my efforts. Ultimately it is Gods judgment I seek but still know that I do not work each day selflessly. I am driven to succeed. I pray for God to focus my activity and to strengthen my behavior that they would bring joy to him. Too, I pray that the selfishness that exists within me does not contradict Paul’s words that you shared in this blog.
God Bless
Ron
I would rather have God's judgment, as He is the only One who truly knows the heart. Man's judgments, and even Christians judgments, are based upon only what "they" see or "they" think. And often they're wrong in their guessing games!
Now when anyone tries to tell me what I am doing is wrong, my answer to them is they are not my final judge... only God is! I have learned through trials I have gone through, that no matter what others may "think," if I have peace about what I am doing, I will not listen to them nor take their judgments to heart, as it is God I am going to have to answer to... not them! And I no longer listen to man... professional or not!!
Do I sound bitter? I am... though I have learned a lot through things I have gone through and been judged for, and I admit it has brought me to find God and get closer to Him. People who judge others without knowing them nor what's in their heart, are so far off the mark... so dead wrong!!!!